Local Community Plan Marr 2019-2022

Action Plan

This document is a supporting document to the Marr Community Plan 2019–22, it provides information on what we are doing as partners in order to meet the priorities of the plan. The Action Plan will be reviewed at approximately eight week intervals by Marr Community Planning Group at regular meetings. Completed actions will be removed and new actions added throughout the three year life of this plan. The current Action Plan including all updates can be found at www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/Marr. If you wish to discuss the plan, or the potential to add a new action to the plan, please contact the Marr Community Planning Officer at the Marr Area Office on 019755 37290.

Monitoring the Plan Actions will be SMART, that is they will be specific and measurable and attainable. Clear milestones and timescales will be set for actions along with identified outcomes, outputs and impacts. In order to be transparent a six monthly monitoring document will be actively shared with all Marr Community Councils. If other groups or organisations would like to receive the monitoring, they can request this. The monitoring information will be available at www.ouraberdeenshire.org.uk/marr where any interested parties can access it.

1 Local Community Plan 2019-2022 Marr

Priority 1 Empowered and Confident Communities

Key Outcomes: Marr’s communities are 1. Communities are empowered to achieve better local outcomes successful, innovative and 2. Community Planning is seen as the process for getting local priorities actioned inclusive 3. Communities are supported to develop and deliver a vision for their area 4. Communities and individuals have the confidence to participate in local democratic structures

What we will do 1.1 We will empower local resilience and other community groups to ensure they have the skills and resources to support their communities

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress Through ward forums we will keep two-way communication with Every 3 Marr Area Partnership People local resilience groups. months supported by MCPG resilience hubs in each community

We will establish two-way links between local resilience groups April 2022 Community Planning Officer Communities and communities of interest to ensure specialised support is made (Aberdeenshire Council) better prepared available. to support MCPG those requiring assistance

We will provide information and advice to groups keen to re-start September Aberdeenshire Council, People spending less activities in their community 2021 AVA, MAP, LLA time in their homes

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How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will provide training to community groups on topics relevant April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council, Groups more to their needs AVA, MAP able to support their local community

We will provide opportunities for people to volunteer locally in a April 2022 AVA, Aberdeenshire Council, People able to variety of ways MAP volunteer more widely

We will provide funding and other information via newsletters. Monthly AVA, MAP Groups have access to necessary information

1.3 We will support communities to develop ‘place’ plans in a variety of formats, including Community Action Plans (CAP)

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will support the development of CAPs in Torphins and April 2022 MAP CAPs reflect Lumsden. communities’ MCPG wishes

We will support the finalisation of Aboyne CAP. March 2021 MAP CAPs reflect communities’ MCPG wishes

We will work with Donside CC to support initiatives arising from April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Improved Howe of Alford CAP initiatives in Howe MAP of Alford Donside Community Council

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Priority 2 Economically Vibrant Communities

Key Outcomes: The economic sustainability 5. Town and village centres are regenerated and/or revitalised through effective partnership working of communities in Marr will 6. Support for small scale tourism infrastructure in communities across Marr is enhanced be enhanced 7. Communities are supported to identify and develop community based enterprises 8. Communities are supported to develop and enhance their facilities 9. Communities are involved in assessing the need for local affordable housing and/or delivering Community Based Housing opportunities. 10. Awareness of funding opportunities is enhanced to support economic development + diversification e.g. LEADER, Wind farms etc.

What we will do 2.1 We will enable towns to revitalise.

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will work with MDCC to support any actions as a result of the April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Future of feasibility study for the Huntly Arms in Aboyne. Huntly Arms Mid Deeside Community Council agreed Mid Deeside Community Trust

We will work with Huntly Town Team to continue the April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Huntly town implementation of the Huntly Town strategy centre MCPG revitalised

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How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will support communities to be in a position to apply for April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Improved govn and other town centre funding facilities in Local business associations towns

2.2 We will support local projects that focus on tourism

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will provide support to Alford Valley Railway April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council AVR opens

We will support Alford Heritage Museum to become sustainable April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council, AVA, Museum has i.e. options appraisal MAP sustainable future

We will support Braemar Community Ltd in their efforts to secure April 2022 CNPA Castle remains open the future of Braemar Castle as visitor attraction

2.3 We will encourage people to support community based enterprises

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will provide community based local businesses and food April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Improved producers with information about local and regional networks access to local food

We will explore local initiatives to encourage people to buy April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Increased use locally of community Local business associations based enterprises

We will support the community to explore care needs and April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Options possible options in Ballater (based on the Braemar model) discussed AVA, Ballater CAT team, MAP

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2.4 We will support the sustainability of micro businesses

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will provide one-to-one training to micro businesses via Sept 2021 CNPA Micro businesses GrowBiz widen client MCPG base

2.5 We will support community housing projects

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will provide advice and information to the community housing April 2022 Marr Area Partnership Community projects in Ballater, Braemar and Tarland housing AVA established Aberdeenshire Council in Marr Cairngorms National Park Authority

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Priority 3 Healthy, Safe and Thriving Communities

Key Outcomes: Marr’s population will be 11. Health inequalities across Marr are improved through effective and targeted partnership working healthy, safe and thriving 12. Opportunities for positive health and wellbeing activity are supported and developed in the community throughout life 13. Local groups are supported to develop initiatives that will make a difference 14. Community safety across Marr is improved and a better understanding of local issues is gained

What we will do 3.1 We will support the Reducing Child Poverty Action Plan

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will explore how the actions for 2020/21 within the Reducing April 2022 MCPG Increased involvement Child Poverty Action Plan will be reflected in Marr of young people in actions identified

3.2 We will work with communities to develop local food resilience

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will explore how a Marr Food Action Plan could fit with the April 2022 HSCP, MCPG Access to healthier priorities of the Council’s Food Growing Strategy and Food Plan food through a to reduce food inequalities and ensure access to low cost, network of community healthy food led/developed food initiatives

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We will support targeted primary schools in Marr to develop December MCPG Primary school food related projects in 2021, that involve and engage 2021 children have Primary Schools members of their community improved access to local food

We will hold a series of workshops for groups about community April 2021 MAP Strategy and action food provision plan complete MCPG

We will support pantry/larder initiatives for example Braemar April 2022 HSCP, MAP, Aberdeenshire Vulnerable groups Pantry with an emphasis on access, practice of vulnerable Council will have better individuals, cooking lessons and budgeting local access to food

3.3 We will support community initiatives that promote health and wellbeing

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will raise awareness of men’s health and wellbeing through April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Men better the Talking Supporting Men initiative. able to talk CLD, LLA, HSCP, MAP about mental health

We will run the Knit a Cosy Bosie initiative asking local groups to April 2021 Aberdeenshire Council Communities knit/crochet items for local communities during colder months provide support to LLA, HSCP one another through the winter

We will update the ‘Who to Turn to in Marr’ leaflet in light of October 2020 Aberdeenshire Council, AVA, Communities able Covid-19 MAP to access support and advice

We will enable people to access relevant courses focusing on April 2022 CLD, HSCP, MAP, AVA Communities able supporting people to manage their mental health and wellbeing to access mental i.e. conversation cafes, path leader training health advice

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We will support schools, community groups and others who come April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Better understanding into contact with young people to undergo mental health first aid of mental health training triggers in young people

We will work with groups to maximise use of green space within April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council, AVA, New opportunities communities (Alford parks incl. Haughton Park pump track, MAP available Aboyne skatepark)

3.4 We will give groups opportunities to run local projects

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will support and promote men’s/community sheds in Braemar, April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council, AVA, Widened role Alford, Aboyne, Inchmarlo, Banchory and Huntly through HSCP, MAP of sheds in information, funding advice, networking events community resilience

We will promote and celebrate those who volunteer in local April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council, AVA Local activities activities continued

We will support projects to examine the possibility of a April 2022 MCPG Communities community asset transfer (Banchory skatepark) apply for CAT

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Priority 4 Connected Communities

Key Outcomes: 15. Residents of Marr have access to safe, active travel options The connectivity of 16. Towns and villages are connected with routes that can be accessed by all communities across Marr 17. Residents in Marr have access to reliable transport options including community transport will be enhanced 18. Communities in Marr receive broadband and mobile phone coverage that is reliable and cost effective

What we will do 4.1 We will support local paths groups to develop the network of paths in Marr

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will hold a paths conference looking at how we can work April 2021 Marr Area Partnership Path maintenance together to develop and maintain paths in Marr improved across Marr HSCP, Aberdeenshire Council

We will develop a paths co-ordinator role to identify the barriers September Marr Area Partnership Improved network of paths and gaps in the paths in Marr, to include village walks to higher 2021 in Marr HSCP, Aberdeenshire Council routes

We will ask communities to identify walks taken during lockdown April 2022 Marr Area Partnership Physical health improved to map them and ensure access can continue year round, and to and maintained through HSCP, Aberdeenshire Council increase knowledge of a variety of walks regular exercise

What we will do 4.2 We will promote digital connectivity in towns and villages

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How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will support Ballater and Braemar to become SMART villages June 21 CNPA Villages offer better digital links Ballater community for visitors and Braemar community businesses

What we will do 4.3 We will promote local active travel initiatives

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will explore suitable active travel options for communities, April 22 MCPG Broader range of building on the experience of existing schemes i.e. Huntly, active travel Finzean options available

We will support the implementation of the Huntly and Banchory April 2022 MCPG Better linkages in Integrated Travel Town masterplans and around Huntly and Banchory

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Priority 5 Natural Heritage and Environment

Key Outcomes: 19. Residents and communities in Marr are able to take advantage of their natural surroundings in a Marr’s natural heritage and way that supports positive, healthy lifestyles environment will be 20. Residents and communities across Marr are engaged in the use of land and natural heritage assets safeguarded and nurtured and gain the benefits arising from such activity with residents and communities connected to 21. Communities are supported to develop resilience plans relevant to their local area their surroundings 22. Community projects that seek to address climate change mitigation, adaption and preparedness are supported 23. Communities are supported to develop and enhance sustainable community buildings and other facilities

What we will do 5.1 We will ensure communities take responsibility for their local areas

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will promote the message of using the countryside April 2022 North and South Marr Better responsibly through community safety using social media, signs, Community Safety Groups understanding posters and behaviours MCPG in relation to our impact on the countryside

We will highlight water safety as part of Year of Coasts and December North and South Marr Better Waters 2021 2021 Community Safety Groups understanding

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How? When? Who? Outcome Progress MCPG of the risks around water

We will support a litter plan for each of the Academies April 2022 Aberdeenshire Council Less litter (Waste), Academies, local community, businesses

5.5 We will encourage communities to engage in green projects

How? When? Who? Outcome Progress We will continue to identify sites for reduced maintenance on September Aberdeenshire Council Increase in Council owned/managed land 2021 number of areas ‘wilded’ in Marr

We will invite local CANs (Climate Action Network) to share their April 2022 MCPG Better understanding expertise and good practice in order to influence the development of how we can of local environmental initiatives i.e. Wildlife Friendly Village in protect our local Banchory environment

We will explore the further development of allotments in Marr, April 2022 MCPG Communities have linked to the Council’s Growing Strategy more opportunities to grow their own

We will promote funding streams that become available for local April 2022 AVA, MAP, CNPA Communities groups to deliver green projects (or similar) informed of funding opportunities

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